Joint construction for building elements



Nov. 4, 1969 J.-H. suHR 3,475,872

JOINT CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 25, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVEN TOR. (Z2621 H 541/71" 1 a 4 ......H I

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ATTORNEY NOV. 4, 1969 H JOINT CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1968 MWM H fl INVENTOR. J56)? A. fizz/7r ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,475,872 JGINT CUNSTRUCTION FGR BUILDING ELEMENTS John H. Suhr, 1920 Graefield, Birmingham, Mich. 48008 Filed Jan. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 700,605

Int. Cl. E04!) 1/54 U.S. Cl. 52235 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is provided an improvement in joining systems for building elements, wherein such building elements are to be secured together to form the load bearing structure for a building or the like, and wherein such building elements may be precast panels, beams, posts or other components. The improvement comprises an assembly adapted to be secured on a first building element and having a receiving member with inwardly and downwardly arcuate surfaces; a joining member adapted to be secured to a second building element and having inwardly extending arcuate flanges disposed in spaced relation to the surfaces on the receiving member; and locking blades pivotally mounted in the arcuate flanges and engageable with the surfaces on the receiving member. When properly mounted, the blades are pivoted into position between the respective flanges and surfaces in strutting relation, preventing removal of the joining member from the receiving member. Additional means are provided to receive and secure building elements that extend angularly from the aforementioned elements, wherein inclined surfaced flanges are received in cooperating engagement.

This invention relates to a joint construction for building elements, and more particularly to a joint structure adapted to be mounted on adjoining elements and having interlocking and latching means to retain the elements in mounted position.

The present invention is particularly applicable to panel type building elements and will be particularly discussed with reference thereto; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention has much broader application and may be used with other types of building components, such as posts, beams and the like.

In the construction industry it is quite often desirable to provide building elements, such as panel structures, as integral parts of a building being erected. The panel structures may be of any shape or size, disposed either horizontally or vertically, and may form the various load bearing components of the building. It is evident that means must be provided to secure such panels together, if they are to perform the load bearing functions of building elements. Such building elements make more inviting the concept of prefabrication of buildings on a large scale and can solve economic and labor needs, provided some suitable and economical joining system can be supplied to secure the prefabricated components together at the building site.

Many joining systems have been known in the past for securing panels and the like together. However, most of these systems are expensive, complicated and cumbersome affairs that take a great deal of time and precision to assemble and install. Most such devices cannot be conveniently shipped from one location to another. They provide little flexibility of design in the finished building structure, since they seldom permit disconnection and relocation to meet changing needs in the building structure. Such devices seldom provide the load bearing potential that is necessary to support panels that form the load bearing components of the building structure.

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The construction in which this invention is embodied comprises, generally, a joining system that is adapted to be mounted on the edge surface of a panel to receive, support and retain a second panel located above, in parallel relation or in angular relation to the first. The system includes a retaining member, extending upwardly from the upper edge of the first panel and having inwardly directed longitudinally extending surfaces formed thereon, and a joining member adapted to be secured to the second panel and receivable over the retaining member to strad dle the retaining member when it is mounted in place. A pair of locking blades, carried by the joining member, engage the inwardly directed surfaces of the receiving member and may be pivoted into tight strutting engagement to lock the joining member to the receiving member. Means may be provided to permit disengagement of the locking members from the inwardly inclined surfaces of the retaining member, thus permitting disassembly of the panel construction for relocation or separation of the building unit. The retaining member also includes outwardly directed flanges having inclined surfaces to received correspondingly formed members secured to horizontal panels, to permit installation of such horizontal panels in proper relation to the first panel, and the joint construction bears the load of the entire assembly.

Such a system solves many of the problems heretofore encountered in joining systems for securing panel structures together. Such a system is economical to manufacture and use and is easily assembled, either on site or at the location of the formation of the panels. Such a system provides a more rapid mounting of the panel srtuctures in their assembled relation, provides a great deal of flexibility in panel assembly and easily bears the loads necessary for such panel joining constructions. The overall result is a simple and efficient joining system which is extremely economical and adaptable to a wide variety of building needs for both function and esthetic design in the structure.

These and other features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description, used to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and in section, of a building panel assembly utilizing the joint construction embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, showing the manner in which the various parts are assembled;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 showing the manner of disassembly of the construction; and

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGURES 2 and 3, showing the manner in which other panels are secured to the joint construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, where the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURES 1-3 best illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention as used in connection with a plurality of building components. A first vertical panel, indicated generally by the numeral 10, may form a structural element in a building which includes a panel assembly comprising a second vertical panel, indicated generally by the numeral 12, and spaced horizontal panels, indicated generally by the numerals 14 and 16. Such an assembly might take place where the panel 10 is a wall or partition and the panel 12 is a similar wall or partition located on a floor above the panel 10. The horizontal panels 14 and 16 may be floor and/or ceiling panels extending between a plurality of vertical panels such as and 12. For ease in understanding and description, such a construction presents a most advantageous assembly, although it is to be understood at the outset that one or more of the panels need not be present, or that the panels may represent other building components. It should further be understood that the particular panel construction is unimportant to the invention, as is the manner in which the panel is made.

Secured in the upper edge of the vertical panel 10 is a structural retaining plate, indicated generally by the numeral 18, having downwardly extending leg flanges 20 embedded in the panel 10 and retained therein in any manner well known in the art. The plate portion 22 may extend across the upper edge of the panel 10 and along the entire length of the panel edge. The plate member 18 may easily be installed during the formation of the pane Suitably secured on the plate portion 22 of the member 18 is a first assembly member, indicated generally by the numeral 24, which is secured to the plate member 18 in any suitable manner. Assembly member 24 extends longitudinally of the upper surface of panel 10 and includes upwardly directed side flanges 26, having downwardly inclined surfaces 28 for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent.

Extending upwardly from the assembly member 24 and secured thereto in any convenient manner, are spaced support members, indicated generally by the numerals 30, including longitudinally extending inwardly turned flanges 32 for securement to the assembly member 24. At the upper edge of the support member 30 are outwardly di rected flanges 34 which receive a second assembly member, indicated generally by the numeral 36. Member 36 is secured to the flanges 34 in any suitable manner and extend therealong. The second assembly member 36 in cludes upwardly directed flanges 38, each of which includes a downwardly inclined surface 40, for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent.

It may be seen that the hereinbefore described structure represents a box-like cross-sectioned supporting means which may be of considerable strength, if formed of proper materials and properly joined, extending along the upper edge of the panel 10, and which is easily constructed by well known methods and procedures. While the purpose for these members is primarily structural, it may be desirable to reduce the weight thereof, and this may easily be accomplished by removal of some of the material, as indicated by lightening holes 41 formed at convenient and proper locations along the length of the structure.

Extending upwardly from the upper surface of the second assembly member 36 is a retainer member, indicated generally by the numeral 42, having outwardly extending flanges 44 for securement to the upper surface of the member 36 in any suitable manner. Extending upwardly and inwardly from the flanges 44 are leg portions 46 which terminate in outwardly and upwardly directed portions 48. The under surface 50 of each of the portions 48 is arcuate, for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent, and the portions 48 are joined by an upper plate section 52.

With reference now to the second vertical panel 12, the lower surface thereof is provided with a plate member, indicated generally by the numeral 54, including inwardly directed leg flanges 56 for securement in the panel 12, as may easily be done on formation thereof. Member 54 may extend the length of the under edge of the panel 12.

Secured to the plate member 54 is a joining member, indicated generally by the numeral 58, which includes a horizontal portion 60 attached to the under surface of the member 54in any suitable manner. Extending downwardly and outwardly from the portion 60 are leg members 62, terminating in inwardly directed arcuate flanges 64 for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent. The leg member 62 are so positioned as to straddle the receiving member 42 when the panel 12 is placed over panel 10 and with the parts in proper registry. The leg members 62 may extend the length of the under edge surface of the panel 12.

The inwardly arcuate flanges 64 of the member 58 retain locking blades 66 which are so received in the arcuate flanges 64 as to be pivotable therein. The locking blades extend the length of the joint construction, and are of such width as to engage the inwardly directed surfaces 50 on the retaining member 42 when the panel 12 is mounted on the panel 10. As will become apparent, when the panel 12 is properly disposed and mounted over the retainer member 42, the blades 66 may be moved inwardly to jam between the arcuate flanges 64 and the surfaces 50. In so doing, the panel 12 will be prevented from upward movement relative to the joint construction.

In order to positively move the locking blades 66, an actuating mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 68, is carried in the retaining member 42. At suitably spaced points along the length thereof, the inwardly and upwardly extending legs 46 of the retaining member 42 are provided with slots 70 and have extending therethrough actuating members 72 and 74, pivoted together as at 76. The outward ends of the actuating members 72 and 74 contain arcaute cutout portions 78 and 80 respectively, which terminate in upwardly extending stop members 82 and 84. Stop members 82 and 84 are so positioned as to engage tabs 86, extending outwardly from the locking blades 66 through suitable apertures 88 in the leg portions 62 of the member 58.

It will be apparent from viewing FIGURE 2 that as the upper panel 12 and the joining member 58, carrying the locking blades 66, are lowered into position over the receiving member 42, the blades 66 will be in a more vertical position than illustrated in FIGURE 2. When the tabs 86 engage the stop members 82 and 84 the blades 66 will be pivoted inwardly about the arcuate flanges 64 and along the surfaces 50 of the retaining member 42. When fully lowered to the desired position, the locking blades 66 will jam between the portions 48 and the flanges 64, thus holding the assembly in place. In order to provide secure and positive jamming action of the blades 66, the arc of travel of the upper edges of the blades 66 is on a circle, whose center is displaced from the center of the arc forming the surfaces 50. Thus, the greater the arcuate movement of the blades 66, the more tightly the blades jam between the flanges 64 and the portions 48 and the more securely they are locked in place.

With reference now to FIGURE 3, and should it be desirable to disassemble the joint construction for removal of panel 12, an upwardly extending member 90 is provided in the actuating mechanism 68 and which is connected at the pivot joint 76 between the actuating members 72 and 74. Member 90 extends upwardly through suitable slots 92, 94 and 96 in the receiving member 42, the joining member 58 and the upper plate member 54 respectively, and into a chamber or cavity 98 suitably formed in the panel 12. A tool, indicated by dashed and dotted lines 100, may be inserted in the slot or cavity 98 into engagement with the member 90, cansing the member 90 and the pivot point 76 to be moved upwardly, thus pivoting the actuating members 72 and 74 about the arcuate flanges 64 and on the cutout portions 78 and 80. Such rotation disengages the stop members 82 and 84 from the tabs 86, and at the same time upwardly and outwardly extending arms 102 and 104 on the actuating members 72 and 74 engage the blades 66 to pivot the blades outwardly and clear the portions 48 on the retaining member 42. The upper panel 12 may then be removed from the structure and the parts will assume their at-rest positions.

In order to retain the assembly 68 in the locked, or down position, a spring 104 may be disposed therein. Spring 104 is mounted on the member 90, engaging the arms 72 and 74 at the lower end thereof and engaging the under-surface of the upper plate section 52 at the other end. The biasing force of the spring 104 thus maintains the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

To secure the side, or horizontal, anels 14 and 16 to the joint construction, each panel is provided with a plate member, indicated generally by the numeral 110, having inwardly directed legs 112 for securement in the respective panels and along the edge surfaces thereof. Members 110 further include outwardly extending flanges 114, each of which is provided with an inwardly inclined surface 116 for engagement with the flanges 26 and 28 of the first and second assembly members respectfully. As best illustrated in FIGURE 4, it may be seen that the panels 14 and 16 may be easily lowered into place on the correspondingly inclined surfaces, thus providing the necessary joining to the overall construction. The inclined surfaces 116, 28 and 40 assure tight engagement of the panels 14 and 16 with the joint structure, and at the same time allow for minor variations in dimensions.

In the normal course of assembly of a structure such as shown in FIGURES 1-4, the side panels 14 and 16 would be first mounted on the flanges 26 and 38, prior to the mounting of the upper vertical panel 12. When the panel 12 is located, an overlap above the horizontal panels 14 and/or 16 may occur. Thus, dimensional tolerances become a factor in proper joint operation. Although it is preferred that in proper orientation of the joint parts the joining member 58 engages the upper surface of the receiving member 42, it will be apparent that the arcuate surfaces 50 and the blades 66 will compensate for minor dimensional variations to accomplish the locking function without difliculty.

Suitable spacer blocks and/or insulating material, indicated generally by the numerals 120, may be disposed at desired locations where the panels adjoin, to provide dimensional control and/or insulating requirements between the panel members.

Although the foregoing description has dealt with a joint construction that extends the entire length of the building panels, it will be appreciated that the system could be composed of a spaced series of shorter lengths, constructed and arranged in the same manner, and properly located along the panels. Since most of the members making up the joint construction are longitudinally continuous members, any convenient length may be provided without change in operation. Further, with the boxlike cross-section of the structure, additional compressive stress may be provided by filling the structure with a suitable material, such as an expanding cement grout.

Thus, a joint construction is provided for adjacent panel members which is relatively simple and economical to manufacture and produce, and is rapid in operation to permit quick and positive joining of one panel relative to another. The design is such that the panels may be removed from their joined configuration and the joining device may be reused as often as desired. This creates a great deal of flexibility in the use of the panels, permitting readjustment and realignment as is necessary.

The present invention has been described in connection with certain structural embodiments; however, it is to be appreciated that various changes may be made in the structural embodiments without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A joint construction for building elements comprisa receiving member adapted to be secured to a first building element and having an inwardly directed surface thereon;

a joining member adapted to be secured to a second building element and receivable over said receiving member, said joining member having an inwardly directed flange disposed in spaced relation to said surface on said receiving member;

and locking means carried by said joining member and movable into increasingly tightening strutting and locking engagement with said surface on said receiving member and said flange on said joining member when said joining member is positioned relative to said receiving member for securing said joining member to said receiving member in force transmitting and rigid engagement and to prevent removal of said joining member from said receiving member.

2. The joint construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a locking member pivotally mounted in said flange for movement into engagement with said surface on said receiving member.

3. The joint construction set forth in claim 2 and further including means on said locking member, and means carried by said receiving member and engageable by said means on said locking member for moving said locking member into locking engagement with said surface on said receiving member.

4. The joint construction set forth in claim 3 wherein said last named means on said locking member includes a tab extending outwardly therefrom and engageable with said means carried by said receiving member.

5. The joint construction set forth in claim 3 wherein said means carried by said receiving member includes a stop member engageable with said last named means on said locking member.

6. The joint construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said means carried by said receiving member further includes means for disengaging said locking member from engagement with said surface on said receiving member for permitting removal of said joining member from said receiving member.

7. The joint construction set forth in claim 1 and further including flange means secured to said receiving member and having an inclined surface thereon for receiving a third building element disposed at an angle relative to said first building element.

8. A joint construction for building elements comprismg:

supporting means adapted to be secured to a first building element;

a. first member mounted on said supporting means and having an inwardly extending arcuate surface;

a second member adapted to be secured to a second building element and received over said first member, said second member having an inwardly extending arcuate flange spaced from said surface on said first member;

a locking member carried by said second member and rotatable in said arcuate flange into increasingly tightening engagement with said arcuate surface on said first member to prevent movement of said first member relative to said second member;

and means for moving said locking member into locking engagement with said surface on said first member.

9. The joint construction set forth in claim 8 wherein said locking member further includes an outwardly extending tab engageable with said means for moving said locking member.

10. The joint construction set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said locking member includes a stop member mounted in said first member and engageable with said tab on said locking member when said second member is received over said first member.

11. The joint construction set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for moving said locking member further includes means engageable with said locking member for moving said locking member out of engagement with said surface on said first member to permit removal of said second member from said first member.

12. The joint construction set forth in claim 8 and further including means on said support means for receiving and retaining a third building element disposed at an angle relative to said second building element.

13. The joint construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said last named means includes a flange on said supporting means and having an inclined surface thereon, and means adapted to be secured to said third building element and having an inclined surface thereon adapted to be received in abutting relation with said inclined surface on said flange on said supporting member.

14. A joint construction for building elements comprising:

a support structure having an upper surface;

a first member secured to said upper surface of said support structure and extending upwardly therefrom, said first member having upwardly and inwardly extending legs disposed in opposite relation and terminating upwardly in arcuately outwardly extending portions, said first member having an upper surface above said portions;

a second member adapted to be secured to a first building element and having downwardly extending legs received over said first member and in spaced relation to said legs on said first member, each of said legs on said second member terminating in an inwardly arcuate flange disposed in downwardly spaced relation to said surfaces-on said first member, and each of said legs having an aperture therein;

a pair of locking members carried by said second member and pivotally received in said flanges therein, said locking members being moved into strutting relation between said flanges on said second member and said surfaces on said first member when said second member is received on said first member, each of said locking members having a tab extending outwardly therefrom and through said apertures in said legs of said second member;

and members carried by said first member and engageable with said tabs on said locking members to pivot said locking members in said arcuate flanges in said second member and into said strutting engagement with said surfaces on said first member to prevent disengagement of said second member from said first member.

15. The joint construction set forth in claim 14 wherein the radius of curvature of said arcuate portions of said first member is different than the arc of movement of the engaging surface of said locking members such that increased pivotal movement of said locking members more tightly secures said locking members between said portions and said flanges.

16. The joint construction set forth in claim 14 wherein said members carried by said first member are rotatable relative to said first member and include means for disengaging said locking means from engagement between said portions on said first member and said flanges on said second member upon rotationof said members carried by said second member.

17. The joint construction set forth in claim 16 wherein said members carried by said first member are rotatable about said arcuate flanges on said second member.

18. The joint construction set forth in claim 14 and further including means on said support structure for receiving and retaining the edge of a second building element disposed at an angle to said first building element.

19. The joint construction set forth in claim 18 wherein said means includes an inclined surface on said support structure and a correspondingly inclined surface on said second building element, said inclined surfaces being received in abutting and locking engagement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,002,859 9/1911 McFarlane 52-285 2,064,789 12/1936 Faber 52-283 2,577,817 12/1951 Schueder 24230.1 3,249,328 5/1966 Knowles 24-230.1 3,378,977 4/1968 Vervloet 52-285 FOREIGN PATENTS 606,106 1926 France. 714,198 1931 France.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 52584, 587 

